Director of Payment Operations

About Us

Kitsap Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with more than 300 employees and 14 branches throughout Western Washington. We have a passion for making a positive difference. As a $2 + billion-asset credit union, we are deeply committed to our members’ financial wellbeing and the prosperity and quality of life in the communities we serve. We are proud to be led by individuals with the experience and skills to drive our organization towards our goals for strategic growth and operational excellence. Our KCU Cares Foundation program focuses on providing resources and support for those struggling with homelessness or hunger and improving the financial well-being of the people in our communities. And beyond monetary efforts, we have provided thousands of hours in staff volunteerism and in-kind support.

At Kitsap Credit Union, our success is built on trust-based relationships and personalized service. We understand our employees are key to our success. They provide the personalized service to our members and contribute to the communities where we live. We are committed to providing a supportive, mission-driven, and inclusive culture where employees can grow their careers. To learn more, visit kitsapcu.org.

About the Role

Kitsap Credit Union is in search of a Director of Payment Operations. This will be a hybrid position our of our Bremerton office. The Director of Payment Operations position is responsible for leading, directing, and guiding the Payment Operations team to ensure the effective modernization of Kitsap Credit Union payment processing in execution of the overall payments’ strategy. Ensures the efficient and effective processing of ACH, wires, BillPay, and real-time payments in an innovative and compliant manner, to include settlement and reconciliation. Leverages deep technical knowledge and strong people leadership skills to position the team for growth.

Quick Facts  

Reports to: VP, Channel Services

Employment Type: Exempt, Hybrid, Salaried, Full-time    

Salary Range: $104,010 - $125,313 depending on experience    

Bonus Target: 12% potential incentive of base pay  

Grade: 13BC    

Industry: Banking

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 

• Implement strategies to optimize payment operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
• Evaluates emerging payment trends and recommends strategies to ensure the future state of Payment Operations remains efficient and effective.
• Oversee the processing of ACH, wires, and real-time payments, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to identify opportunities for process improvements and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new payment products and services.
• Manage relationships with payment service providers and technology vendors.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payment operations professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage the payment operations budget, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis on payment operations performance to senior management.
• Accountable for the department’s quality, timeliness, and compliance in the development and execution of operational processes, to include operational efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability utilizing KCU financial and staff resources.
• Negotiates SLAs with key internal business partners and assures compliance with regular reviews.
• Subject Matter Expert and provides professional advice to managers and VPs on payments risk, rules/regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• Accountable for reporting and compliance with payment regulations and KCU policies, related to ACH, wires, and Real Time Payments.
• Set Performance Measures for the department to include quantitative and qualitative targets with the objective to continually identify improvements to controls, resources utilization, and member experience.
• Evaluate vendor performance, SLAs, contractual commitments, and invoices.
• Leads the team in organization-wide and departmental projects, including assuring appropriate controls/risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, departmental impact assessment, development of procedural and staff training.
• Manages the performance of the team members including regular performance coaching and feedback, performance evaluations, team member engagement, corrective actions, and identifying team member development opportunities.
• Develops and manages departmental annual budget, including explanations of monthly variances to budget.
• Uses professional judgement and interpersonal skills to communicate with both executives and employees.
• Uses data to address management concerns to highlight the best paths forward.
• Coordinates and ensures completion of testing and implementing disaster recovery and business continuity plans for payment operations.
• Understand, model, and represent KCU’s core values.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Demonstrates a high level of engagement and active collaboration contributing to a positive team environment.
• Understand, model, and represent KCU’s core values.

Required Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field; MBA or relevant certification preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in payment operations, with a deep understanding of ACH, wires, and real-time payments. AAP or similar payment certification preferred.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience with strong leadership and management skills, the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Proven problem solving, analytical and technical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of the organization.
• Strong MS Office skills required, including the ability to use these to analyze and communicate complex data, issues, and solutions.

Preferred Qualifications and Education

Experience in a credit union or financial institution preferred.

SUPERVISORY STATUS 

This position supervises others and is responsible for being results oriented, collaborative, delegate effectively, and embrace the organization’s core values, ensuring team effectiveness.

Working conditions 

This position will be required to work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, and, with or without reasonable accommodation is required: 

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a minimum of 75% of the time
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machines
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs
• Constantly positions self in work environment
• The person in this position frequently communicates with peers, supervisors, vendors, and employees to exchange accurate information and answer questions
• Must be able to detect objects at a distance
• On occasion will move up to 20 pounds of office objects
• Works in an indoor office environment but expected to attend meetings in buildings that require travel in outdoor weather conditions

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position; other duties outside of normal responsibilities may be performed as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Nothing in this position description restricts management’ right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Please note: Kitsap Credit Union does not offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Our Values

Integrity: We believe in acting with honesty, trust, and respect which are at the forefront of our daily engagement.

Responsibility: We believe that responsibility is holding ourselves accountable for our decisions, actions, and their outcomes.

Collaboration: We believe in the power of a diverse group of people working together to achieve a united outcome.

Authenticity: We believe activities in actions that demonstrate our commitment to be transparent, dependable, and genuine in every day.

What We Offer

Not only are we one of the largest credit unions in Washington State, and growing, but we are also a company that cares about its employees. We back that up for our employees by offering competitive pay and a benefits package that helps support you and your family’s lifestyle. We value our employees, and we strive to keep our benefits comprehensive and affordable. Some of our benefits include:

Careers | Kitsap Credit Union (kitsapcu.org)

• Free onsite parking
• Annual time off and sick time accrued
• 11 paid holidays
• 1 Personal Floating Day
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Choose from a PPO medical plan or a High Deductible with a Health Savings Account
• 3% KCU funded Safe Harbor Contribution to your 401K
• KCU will match up to 2% of your 401K contributions
• All 401K contributions are 100% vested
• Potential annual incentive in all roles within Kitsap Credit Union
• Tuition reimbursement
• 8 hours of paid volunteer time off
• Discounts on KCU's products and services
• Enjoy unlimited ORCA transit access through KCU for less than $45 a year—your cost as an employee

We believe in the power of belonging – it’s in our DNA as a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. Our un-bank-like structure ensures that we remain all about people: our members, our employees, and the people in the communities where we live and work. We work hard to provide a collaborative and inclusive environment where you can grow and excel in your career.  

We are dedicated to serving our members by providing personalized experiences, convenient access, and highly competitive products and services. But it goes much deeper than that. For more than 86 years, we have been relentless about making a positive difference in our communities. We understand that when our members and communities succeed, we all succeed, and that success can’t happen without great employees.

****** Employment is contingent upon satisfactory background check. Kitsap Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status. ****** 

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